Northwestern at Michigan Breakdown & Prediction

Northwestern at Michigan

Time: Noon ET

Venue: Crisler Center

TV: Big Ten Network

Records: Northwestern 7-7, 0-1 Big Ten; Michigan 9-4, 1-0 Big Ten

Northwestern stat leaders: Points – Drew Crawford (15.9 ppg); Rebounds – Crawford (7.7 rpg); Assists – Dave Sobolewski (3.2 apg); Steals – Sobolewski/Sanjay Lumpkin (0.9 spg).

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (17.8 ppg); Rebounds – Glenn Robinson III (4.7 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.3 apg); Steals – Robinson III/Caris LeVert (1.2 spg).

Current Streaks: Northwestern L2, Michigan W3

Point Spread: Michigan -15

Prediction: Northwestern isn’t looking too good so far this season and Michigan is coming off a nice win on the road. The Wolverines didn’t always look their best against Minnesota but the play of Stauskas and Horford should help boost the team going forward without McGary coming back any time too soon. I think Michigan wins this game comfortably, as Northwestern will have enough trouble finding conference wins at home, let alone on the road. Michigan will shoot its way to a quick lead and then slowly pull away. Michigan 78, Northwestern 62

Michigan State at Indiana Breakdown & Prediction

No. 5 Michigan State at Penn State

Time: 2PM ET

Venue: Assembly Hall

TV: CBS

Records: Michigan State 12-1, 1-0 Big Ten; Indiana 10-4, 0-1 Big Ten

Michigan State stat leaders: Points – Garry Harris (17.4 ppg); Rebounds – Branden Dawson (9.3 rpg); Assists – Keith Appling (4.8 apg); Steals – Travis Trice (1.5 spg).

Indiana stat leaders: Points – Yogi Ferrell (17.7 ppg); Rebounds – Noah Vonleh (9.5 rpg); Assists – Ferrell (4.1 apg); Steals – Troy Williams (1.2 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan State W5, Indiana L1

Point Spread: Michigan State -2.5

Prediction: Michigan State hits the road again to face Indiana on Saturday. Obviously the name value gives this game more interest than perhaps it should. Indiana is not what it was last season and this is a game Michigan State should win. Tom Izzo doesn’t need any motivation to beat Tom Crean, as Crean has won his last three over his mentor. The Spartans have looked good on the road as of late and I expect that to continue. Look for Indiana to contend early behind the home crowd, but MSU pull away late behind superior talent. Michigan State 81, Indiana 70

Michigan at Minnesota Breakdown & Prediction

Michigan at Minnesota

Time: 7PM ET

Venue: Williams Arena

TV: Big Ten Network

Records: Michigan 8-4, 0-0 Big Ten; Minnesota 11-2, 0-0 Big Ten

Michigan stat leaders: Points – Nik Stauskas (18.2 ppg); Rebounds – Glenn Robinson III (5.0 rpg); Assists – Stauskas (3.3 apg); Steals – Robinson III (1.3 spg).

Minnesota stat leaders: Points – Andre Hollins (16.2 ppg); Rebounds – Elliott Eliason (8.2 rpg); Assists – Deandre Mathieu (4.8 apg); Steals – Mathieu (2.1 spg).

Current Streaks: Michigan W2, Minnesota W6

Point Spread: Minnesota -2.5

Prediction: Michigan has a pretty good challenge on the road to start conference play. The Wolverines, who are still without Mitch McGary, are facing an athletic team that has some big bodies to content with on the glass. If Michigan can shoot the ball well on the perimeter, it can win. However, relying on that is never a good thing. Minnesota has its own talented guards and Andre and Austin Hollins and Deandre Mathieu is a strong defender. I think the Wolverines have their hands full in this game and Minnesota will be carried to the win at home due to better shooting, and control of the glass. Minnesota 81, Michigan 72